Use Expo's EAS Build to produce an installable iOS app in the cloud, with certificates and provisioning profiles handled for you.
Make an actual iOS build of my Expo app in the cloud
How it works
- Install EAS CLI and log in: Vovy runs npm install -g eas-cli and eas login. You type your Expo password yourself when prompted.
- Configure the project: Vovy runs eas build:configure, which creates eas.json with development, preview and production profiles, the recipes for each kind of build.
- Set your bundle identifier: Vovy sets ios.bundleIdentifier in app.json, like com.yourco.appname. It is your app's permanent ID with Apple and cannot change after release.
- Let EAS create your certificates: Vovy starts eas build --platform ios and lets EAS generate the signing certificate and provisioning profile. You sign in to Apple when it asks.
- Watch the build finish: Vovy follows the build on expo.dev and reads the logs if it fails. When it succeeds you get a card with the build link and what to do next.
What you provide
- An Expo account
- A paid Apple Developer account
- Your Expo project
What you get
- A signed iOS build on expo.dev
- An eas.json with build profiles
- Certificates stored safely by EAS
FAQ
Do I need a Mac with Xcode for this?
Not for EAS Build itself: it builds on Expo's cloud Macs. You still need a paid Apple Developer account to sign iOS builds.
Is EAS Build free?
The Free plan includes a small monthly allowance of builds in a slower queue that can wait over an hour at busy times. Paid plans get priority.
What if the build fails?
The most common causes are a mismatched package version or a missing config plugin. Vovy reads the failing log step and explains the fix.
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